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Liberation Fonts Increase Interoperability For Linux Users

Posted by timothy on from the yes-yes-gnu-slash-linux dept.

hweimer writes "Most problems when opening Word documents under GNU/Linux are due to missing fonts. Therefore, Red Hat published a set of fonts metric-compatible with the Windows core fonts last year. However, there were some concerns regarding the licensing that prevented many other distros to ship them. We finally managed to settle these problems, leading to better document interoperability for all GNU/Linux users."

7 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Used to be known as... by rishistar · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..French fonts!

    --
    Professor Karmadillo Songs of Science
  2. I fixed it for you by seanonymous · · Score: 5, Funny

    Most problems with opening Word documents are that they were created with Word.

    1. Re:I fixed it for you by plover · · Score: 5, Insightful
      No, Word is a cruel developer-led plot to sap the output of the business analysts. By keeping their conflicting requirements tangled up in Word, and by shifting their focus to fonts and colors, it keeps them from ever actually finishing them and so inflicting them upon the hapless developers.

      By one estimation*, developers would have almost twice as many annoying requirements if business analysts were to switch to open-source word-smithing tools.

      *In his defense, the estimator was both drunk and bitter at the set of requirements he had just been handed.

      --
      John
  3. Linux Liberation Font? by Kell+Bengal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sounds like a open-source typography terrorist organisation.

    --
    Scientists point out problems, engineers fix them
    altslashdot.org: The future of slashdot.
    1. Re:Linux Liberation Font? by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 5, Funny

      Correct kerning derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!

    2. Re:Linux Liberation Font? by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sounds like a open-source typography terrorist organisation. No, that's the Liberation Font of Linux. Forkers!
      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  4. Re:Do I need/want these? by pshuke · · Score: 5, Informative
    Probably not. The appeal with these fonts, as I understand it, is that they can be distributed along with the rest of the operating system. Corefonts have some slight copyright issues. From the licence:


    Reproduction and Distribution. You may reproduce and distribute an unlimited number of copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT; provided that each copy shall be a true and complete copy, including all copyright and trademark notices, and shall be accompanied by a copy of this EULA. Copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may not be distributed for profit either on a standalone basis or included as part of your own product.

    Note in particular the "Copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may not be distributed for profit either on a standalone basis or included as part of your own product." part.